The World Food Programme plans to cut over a quarter of its workforce by next year, according to an all-staff email sent Thursday and seen by Devex.
“Following a series of meetings where the Leadership Team reviewed all aspects of our situation, we concluded that WFP must reduce its worldwide workforce by 25-30%, which could impact up to 6,000 roles as we prepare for 2026,” Stephen Omollo, WFP's assistant executive director for workplace and management, said in the email.
WFP has been in the midst of a funding crisis for some time, with international support waning in recent years. But drastic cuts to U.S. government funding through USAID in recent months have pushed the organization over the edge. The U.S. is WFP’s largest donor, contributing 46% of the agency’s budget in 2024. That year WFP — which is funded entirely through voluntary donations from governments, individuals, and the private sector — received a total of $9.75 billion in contributions.
About the author
Ayenat Mersie
Ayenat Mersie is a Global Development Reporter for Devex. Previously, she worked as a freelance journalist for publications such as National Geographic and Foreign Policy and as an East Africa correspondent for Reuters.
